The International Sustainability, Resources & Technology Conference (ISRTC2020) which will be held from 10-12 February 2020 in Muscat will bring sustainability and waste management at the fore.

Hosted by Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah), the event aims to contribute to Oman’s Vision 2040 and further the Sultanate’s economic diversification efforts. 

Addressing the media at a press conference, Sheikh Mohammed Al Harthy, Executive Vice President-Strategic Development Sector at be’ah said, “We are delighted to host the International Sustainability, Resources & Technology Conference 2020 here in Oman to discuss a wide variety of topics regarding major environmental issues… ISRTC2020 will focus on Sustainable Development Goals and the future of resource management; shedding light on INDUSTRY 4.0 and the latest technological solutions that minimizes damage to the environment.” 

Read this: Future Technology Will Solve Climate Change? Don’t Believe It

By hosting this conference, be’ah’s key emphasis is to lead change by focusing on developing sustainable and reliable infrastructural solutions. The company firmly believes that maximizing the effective usage of resources and making environmentally sound decisions will encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in business sectors.   

A platform to amplify Oman’s SDG

The conference also aims to establish a platform to accelerate the deployment of cutting edge technological innovations, leading to the achievement of the sustainable development goals and the transition to a circular economy. “Four years after the launch of Agenda 2030 and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress is lacking. We need to transform, and we need to do it radically and much faster than ever before,” said Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Director Policy Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation conference series (G-STIC) at the media event.

“G-STIC and ISRTC2020 share the belief that the SDGs can be achieved much more efficiently by deploying integrated technological solutions that tackle multiple sustainable development challenges simultaneously rather than individually. We are on a joint mission to accelerate technological transitions for the SDGs and build a living library of transformative technologies across sectors, confirming our unwavering commitment to international processes that forward Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs.”

Global ideas with local impact

ISRTC 2020 will also collaborate with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) – a non-governmental, independent and non-profit association whose mission is to promote and develop professional waste management worldwide as a contribution to sustainable development. ISWA along with G-STIC hope to provide Oman with safe, efficient and innovative ways to contribute to the environment and overall economy. 

In addition, ISWA will share its expertise and knowledge within the fields of sustainable waste management and climate mitigation by informed discussions with respective expert working groups. The conference strives to increase cooperation with all stakeholders in waste management, environmental research industries, particularly national institutions, and international organizations. Industrial partners and their representatives will exhibit their state-of-the-art technologies, leading practices and case studies, providing an essential benchmark for participants in the event. 

According to Marc Tijhuis, Managing Director of ISWA in the Netherlands, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to support be’ah, ISWA National Member in Oman…bridging the knowledge and experience gaps is a crucial step to accelerate the implementation of sustainable waste management practices globally.”